Dark Calvary

Earlene Davis

In the first 21 verses of Psalm 22 David wrote inspired prophecy of our Lord’s sufferings on the cross. It is more vividly described than what we read in the four gospels. For it lets us to know our Savior’s inward thoughts as he was being crucified. Just think this was written a thousand years before Christ was born and we find 33 distinct prophecies which were fulfilled at Calvary. It is the most convincing example of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Only God can prophesy with such unerring accuracy.
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent” Vs. 1-2. Yes, Christ was abandoned by God. When that dreadful midday-midnight darkness swept over Calvary, this abandoned cry was heard.
“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel” V. 3. He was abandoned because of the holiness of God. The great Sufferer realized there was a gulf that isolated Him from His Father. “He who knew no sin was made sin for us.” No wonder He was abandoned by the holy God, no wonder He roared out like a lion in pain. He had always done those things that pleased His Father and the Father twice spoke from heaven, This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. 
“Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded” V. 4-5. Others have cried to God in their distress and God heard them, but Jesus cry was left unanswered.
“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people” V. 6. This word “worm” used here is the crimson crocus from which the color scarlet was obtained for the robes of kings. That royal dye was obtained by the lowly worm being crushed. On the cross our Lord was crushed beneath the load of our sin and under the wrath and curse of God. Being made a curse for us, He was crushed. Just think at that moment, He was a worm and no man. The eternal Son of God, Creator of the universe, a worm and no man, abandoned by God.
“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him” Vs. 7-8. What a significant feature of the prophecy, that it foretold exactly what the Lord’s enemies would say. Unbelievers may say Jesus was playacting to fit prophecies, but how could He make His enemies playact the fulfillment of prophecy too? The priests and the people had no desire to prove the claims of Jesus to be Messiah. They did everything to disprove those claims. Yet, despite themselves, they used the very language of Psalm 22 when taunting Him. The Hebrew word “trust” used here occurs nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible. It means, “Roll it on Jehovah: they cried. “Roll it on Him.” Seven distinct Hebrew words for trust are used else where.
“But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round” Vs. 9-12. The Lord’s enemies would be like “bulls of Bashan.” Bashan was known for its fertile pasturelands. Bulls will often circle around any unaccustomed object and charge at the slightest provocation. The Lord’s enemies were like that, standing strong and menacing.
They were not only bulls with ready horns, they were roaring lions, tearing and devouring. “They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion” V. 13. They were also like ravenous unclean dogs of the streets. “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” V. 16. How cruel were the Lord’s enemies.
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd (a broken piece of pottery); and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death” Vs. 14-15. He  who created every mountain stream, every babbling brook, every river, every lake, every well , was consumed with thirst.
As for men, “I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me” V. 17. The original text suggests malicious delight on the sight. No doubt the priests, the elders, the Scribes were thinking He will never trouble us again. Come down from the cross and we will believe in you. The contempt, the cruelty, the callousness of men was all foretold in this psalm. He was not only abandoned by God, but abhorred by men. “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” Vs. 18. The Roman soldiers fulfilled this, casting lots for His vesture. God’s beloved Son was suffering physical, emotional and spiritual anguish (body, soul and spirit). He was dying for their sins. He was dying for the sin of the whole world. It meant nothing to them.
 “But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns (wild ox)” Vs. 19-21. We know who the roaring lion is, he that goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Jesus words in Lk. 22:53, “This is your hour and the power of darkness.” Yes, the powers of Satan were present at Calvary, the principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, wicked spirits in high places, all gathered around the cross to gloat.
Deliver “My darling, (my only one) from the power of the dog.” Who is this? Do we not read in Eph. 5, “Christ so loved the church, He gave Himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Also in II Cor. 11, Paul says, by his epistles he has espoused the church to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But he feared that as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, the saints minds would be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. This has happened to most. But there are those who have followed Paul in counting all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, to win Christ as Bridegroom.
Psalm 45, King’s daughters were among thy honorable women: Upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir…She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework. Christ will have a bride, a glorious church, a chaste virgin, a queen to reign conjointly with Him. Rom. 8, “If we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together.
Rev. 19, tells of the marriage of the Lamb that will come and His wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness or righteous acts of saints.
In Song of Solomon chapter 6 we read there are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines and virgins without number. My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother (grace) to Him. She was on His mind when He was on the cross dying to win her, to obtain her. The bridal company was the joy set before Him that He endured the cross. O what love!

Earlene Davis

A Good Report

“God’s Not Done With Me Yet”

By Gary Oetinger
Clay Center, Kansas

It’s a miracle, I am still alive, even the doctors say I have a testimony. July 5, 2013, I was enjoying a meal with family
and had a severe heart attack. The doctor said there wasn’t any hope. Even though my living will called for no life support, my niece insisted on it. Doctors advised the family that I would probably be in a nursing home six to eight months on a respirator and brain dead. Every part of my body appeared dead already. It appeared hopeless. While in a coma (for over a month), I was transferred to a recovery hospital, having three infections, worse than staph. The doctors advised again that they should let me go, because you just don’t recover from this kind of stuff. So many prayer groups gathered in my name, and all of a sudden, I woke up. All I could move was my head. I wondered what happened, because I had three different doctors – a heart doctor, a lung doctor, and an infection/discase doctor. They all came and shook my hand, saying, “Boy, this just doesn’t happen, fellah.” Gradually the rest of the body came back, couldn’t walk, but receiving very good care at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, where I recovered for five weeks, also receiving help from the cardiac rebab unit at the hospital, strengthening other parts of the heart. They told me I set a record for the number of times being told, “This guy shouldn’t be alive.” I give the credit to God, I give the glory to God, for prayer made a big difference. You couldn’t believe the people that were praying for me, people all over that I didn’t even know. It was through the power of prayer of those prayer warriors that brought me back from the brink of death. As of today, I am walking again and returned to living independently in my apartment.

Paul’s Persuasion

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, WE PERSUADE MEN; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” II Cor. 5:8-11

Our Apostle Paul speaks from sound footing. His persuasive attitude contained nothing uncertain; “Knowing the fear of the Lord.” He may have learned some of that first hand on the road to Damascus. When he speaks of fear however, I don’t believe he was thinking just of the fright that would cause one to take flight, or shrinking from divine presence, but rather a disposition influenced by love and trust. It is not so much dreading His power of retribution, but rather a wholesome dread of displeasing or grieving His great heart of love. Yet I am certain that He also did have righteous rewards in view (v. 9). Paul, considering God’s point of view, and knowing how holy, just, faithful, powerful, and unchangeable He is, says forcefully and firmly “be ye reconciled unto God.” “We persuade men.”

There were those of Paul’s day that would preach another Jesus, by another spirit, and another gospel. Read II Cor. 11:4 and Gal. 1:6-16. He asked in verse ten: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be a servant of Christ” – Gal. 1:10. So also today we still make the choice; we either seek to please men or are a servant of Christ. Many today with itching ears desire a perversion of the gospel that would seem to make God or Christ or the gospel change. The underlying thought seems to be that the old message is not good enough, that we need something added, more up-to-date, more social, humanistic, on a more logical plane, closer to human reason, a message that doesn’t require too much faith to accept.

God is love, light, merciful, and holy, but He will never forego His righteousness and truth in order to manifest His love and mercy. Instead He makes them meet in the person of His Son, our dear Lord Jesus Christ. The only way to come into divine favor is through the ark of safety He has provided. He changes not! There is no spiritual progress outside of harmony with the rightly divided Word of truth. The Word reveals the perfect will of God, showing us there is no ability to go on, and enjoy the accomplishment of His work outside the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:43, “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” True messengers with a true ministry will always persuade continuance in the grace of God. The Word of grace is so constructive in spiritual development (builds us up) and everlasting enrichment (giving us an inheritance) in the unsearchable riches of Christ. Acts 20:32 & Eph. 3:8.

What an accusation! What a successful ministry! Acts 18:9-13, “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them. And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.” May we always persuade men to worship God. Paul’s persuasion was to superior worship. True worship need not contradict the law, but rather lift above all possibilities of legal observance, more than fulfilling all that the Law demanded. In spiritual worship we are brought into the throne room, before God’s throne in full freedom on abundant grace. Oh yes, we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. II Cor. 3:5-12

Fully persuaded: the Apostle Paul was so persuasive because he got his persuasion from the Lord, even about smaller matters, things questionable or uncertainties. He even allowed the Holy Spirit to check him in the steps to take, and well may we, “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself.” “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” – Rom. 14:5. In I Corinthians he wrote; “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient…I will not be brought under the power of any” – I Cor. 6:12. (I Cor. 10:23 “all things edify not.” )

In love’s restraints, under the perfect law of liberty, Paul gives us these sage guide lines, Oh, beloved, Let us settle it in our own hearts. Is that questionable thing in our life expedient (profitable, beneficial spiritually)? Will it build us up (edify), will it make us winners in the race for the prize of the high calling? Much of the earthly, natural, material, and social things have been called good by mankind. Some are beneficial, some are not, depending on how we use or abuse them. According to Paul’s persuasion, we can’t allow anything to exercise excessive influence, or undue control that would supersede spiritual priorities. “I will not be brought under the power of any.”

I Cor. 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (or disapproved). As we follow Paul as he followed Christ, we are encouraged to realize that not only was his conflict real and his goal certain, but he also was a winner. That same persuasion will make us winners.

Gal. 5:7-8, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.” It is evident yet today that the two main hindrances to swift spiritual progress is legality and laxity. Therefore we are admonished to “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” – Gal. 5:1,13. Read also Heb. 6:9 & 10:34, “we are persuaded better things of you, and the things that accompany salvation”). Paul was persuaded of better things of some of those Hebrews because they were persuaded of the better things of God. They believed that what God had, and held out to them was better. God would that we give up the so-called good of this world, for the better and the best that He has set before us, making it available to our faith.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country…now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” – Heb. 11:13-14,16. Oh, saints of the living God, are you persuaded that what God has for us is better? Are you persuaded that His best is available? Then let us do as these have done, embrace (seek, go after, apprehend, claim for your very own) His exceeding great and precious promises. Allow such persuasion to take hold on us and do a great separating work in our life, that we confess indeed this world is not our home, Let God persuade us through Paul, that nothing that has ever been, nor is, or ever shall be, is able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord; that our life is hid with Christ in God, and that no man is able to pluck us out of the hand of Jesus, nor of our Father’s hand Who is greater than all. Let us, like Abraham, not stagger at the promises of God through unbelief, but be strong in faith, giving the glory to God, being fully persuaded that what God has promised, He is able to perform.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it” – I Thess. 5:23-24. “Being confident of this very thing, that he that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ” – Phil. 1:6. If we get hold of Paul’s persuasion, we will yield to the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting God to do the needed perfecting work, joyously expecting Him to bring it to completion right on time.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust…that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” – I Tim. 6:20; II Tim. 1:14,12. What has the Lord committed to your trust, a life, or lives, a truth, a message, a ministry? How can we best take care of, and beneficially fulfill, and retain that which we have been intrusted? By a dual committal. In Pauline persuasion commit your committal. King Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian. But Paul desired that all were almost and altogether such as he, except his bonds, Acts. 16:28-29. Do you really hear Paul today? Peter said, “Such as I have give I thee.” Paul said, “Such as I am, I would that all be.” Paul being fully persuaded certainly had it All-together.
By J. D.

THE LAST DAYS

Anita Clark

“And Jesus answered and said unto them. Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” Matthew 24:4-5.

This age is almost over. The big question on every Christian’s mind should be, the time is short and Jesus is coming at any time, am I ready? II Timothy 3:1 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The word, “perilous” in the original Greek means, “times of danger, or loss of strength.” This is what we are experiencing in this time in which we are living.

In our beginning verse, we note that many will proclaim they are Christ in the last days. Over a period of years this has been true from time to time that some individual would arise, and declare that they were the Christ, but then, they would fade away off the scene. However, the spirit of Antichrist is in the world stronger than ever.

I John 2:18 says, “Little children, it is the last time, and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time...Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” I John 4:1-3 speaks on this wise, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereby ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is in the world.” Although the Antichrist will not come on the scene until the tribulation of seven judgment years, there is definitely a spirit of antichirst and anti-God in the world today.

In the early days of the Church, the spirit of error was prevalent, but it is much worse today. In the U.S.A. authorities are cracking down on religious freedom, and religious expression. In some states, attacks against churches, and pastors who refuse to conduct marriage ceremonies for homosexual couples because of Biblical principles they hold dear, are under attack. Freedom of speech concerning what the Bible calls sin is being censured and prohibited. Threats that Governmental tax exemptions for property tax and sales tax exemptions given to church organizations may be taken away if churches forbid marriages and jobs to homosexuals. Satan is working overtime in the world today.

The Word of God speaks in relevant terms concerning our stand for the right. I Corinthians 16:13 says, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit [act] like men, be strong.” Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God that you might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” It is time to stand for the truth. No time to be wishy-washy! Persecution may come, but God is able to help us to be faithful witnesses in these last days.

II Corinthians 11:13-15 tells us, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” “False prophets!” “Pseuda Apostles” in the Greek, meaning “pretended or false teachers.” They “transform themselves” which means they transfigure themselves or disguise themselves. Satan never comes right out and says, “This is the devil speaking.” He is deceiving the whole world except for those who are believers and are watching and waiting for the Lord to come.

Jesus spoke several warnings against this Satanic influence. John 10:10-12, He speaks , “The thief comes to kill and destroy...the hireling sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep.” In Matthew 7:15, He says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” The word “ravening” in the Greek speaks of “extortion.” How many false teachers extort the children of God to make monetary gain off them! Luke 6:45, Jesus says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

So, error is running wild! There are many false doctrines which oppose the light, and the truth. They are anti-God and anti-Christ. But the Scripture says, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

There are so many horrible events in the world today. We have it relatively easy in the U.S.A. Nevertheless, Satan is at work. Many are turning from the truth of the Gospel and compromising in their teachings. We must stand fast. Regardless of the trials, we must stand for righteousness and truth. He will reward us in the future, in the glory as we stand before Him.

Transformation

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

God is in the business of transformation. While we often want to pretty up and clean up the exterior to impress people, God does something entirely different. He replaces the core, so the source is different. This is true transformation. What results is not just something with a paint job, but something truly new. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

The transformation is an ongoing work. With a new source (the life of Christ), we are being daily transformed from within. As with all life, growth requires energy (food) and spiritually, that means taking in God’s Word. Several places in the New Testament, we read of God’s Word referred to as meat or milk, meaning our necessary food. The only way our minds will be renewed is my allowing the Holy Spirit to work through God’s Word.

We must realize the need for this renewing on a daily basis. Our minds are, constantly under attack to bring us into subjection to a worldly thought pattern. God’s ways are so different from the ways of the world that we cannot attempt to join the two. One of the great tragedies of modern Christianity is the attempt to marry the worlds thinking with Scripture.

The following is quoted from a blog: “It is popular today to say God is love, which is very true, but be careful of where you put the emphasis here. God defines love; love does not define God; God is the source of love; love is not the creator of God. If love defines God, then what does that defining love look like? All too easily the speaker slips into thinking if God is love and love means this and that to me, then God has to see loving in the same way I do. Thus, we inadvertently wind up defining a god that has a strange resemblance to ourselves and a strange emphasis on seeing the world through our eyes. Thus are idols born.” How easy it is for us to get caught up in defining God according to our human understanding or reasoning.

God is not looking for intellectual reasoning about Him or this world. He desires to work a complete and total change in our lives that will glorify Him forever. The truth of the Gospel is so simple, that it trips up many who would prefer to have something complex to debate and discuss to demonstrate great intellect and thought. Received by faith, we will be amazed at the simplicity of God’s transformation in our lives.

God is revealing Himself and His perfect will through His Word. In Luke 8:18, Jesus says, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” As we take in more of God’s Word, God allows us more. Those that allow the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to their hearts, will find more truth.

Do not allow the world to mold you, but allow God to transform you day by day by taking in truth from His Word in simple faith.
Gordon Crook

RUTH

Debra Isenbletter

Ruth 2:20 – “And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.”

In this verse Naomi makes two statements, seen in the words “Naomi said.” In the first statement she blesses Boaz for his kindness. In the second statement she tells Ruth of Boaz’s relationship to them, and his responsibility.

Naomi’s first statement: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness.” Naomi begins with praise. There is a similarity and a difference in her blessing in vs 19 and vs 20. In vs 19 Naomi says: “Blessed be he,” which is similar to this verse, but Naomi adds something, she adds “of the Lord,” she sees “the Lord” in all that has happened! Naomi sees in Boaz the hand “of the Lord,” the provision “of the Lord” for her and Ruth. What a difference from her earlier words when she first returned. Then Naomi didn’t bless God, she blamed God. Then He was the Almighty and her words were bitter, a reflection of her heart that had not fully surrendered and yielded to God. She had said: “the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” (1:20) and “the Almighty hath afflicted me” (1:21). In that statement she saw only His Might in judgment and correction, and she forgot the other meanings for the name Almighty in the bitterness of the trial. She forgot He was the “All Sufficient One” that He was the “Strength giver,” that He was the “Satisfier,” the One who “enriches and makes fruitful.”

Now she sees God in a different light. He is not just the Almighty who judges and corrects; I think she remembers the meanings of that name again but now she says that He is the Lord, He is Jehovah, the Eternal One; the Unchangeable One. Jamieson Fausset and Brown summarize the difference between the two names by saying that God is not only the Almighty who made the promise to Abraham, but Jehovah who keeps those promises because He is unchangeable. I think Naomi sees that God will keep His promise to do all the things He says He would do as the Almighty: give strength, satisfy, enrich and make fruitful. Another interesting point is that the Jews will not speak the name Jehovah, instead they say Adoni which is also translated Lord but means Master. The Jewish Bible uses Adoni instead of Jehovah in their translation, and if Naomi is speaking using this name, she is acknowledging that she has fully surrendered to her Master. What a difference the trial has brought in her! Naomi sees the One behind the blessing and the One has moved the man, who is the instrument of the blessing. Her first words were bitter, a reflection of a heart not fully surrendered to God. Her final words are sweet, showing her surrender and submission.

Naomi sees the kindness of Boaz: “who hath not left off his kindness.” She sees two things: What has not been done and what God has done. The words “left off” show what God has not done. Those words mean “forsaken” or “refused.” Despite her past disobedience, God has not forsaken her and because of her prayers, God has not refused her! This has always been God’s promise to His people; over and over He said He would not leave them or forsake them. God told Jacob this (Gen 28:15); He told Moses this (Deut 31:6) and He told Joshua this (Josh 1:5). Despite their disobedience or rebellion, He gives this assurance to them. The Lord makes the same promise to us today: “I will never leave thee or forsake thee” (Heb 13:5). It doesn’t matter how hard or difficult the trial or how bitter the place may seem, the Lord is always there! Naomi sees what God has done through Boaz, He showed “kindness.” The word for “kindness” means “favor, mercy, loving kindness.” This is God’s Grace in action, seen through Boaz. This is what God through Christ has done for us, He has shown His “kindness” – His Grace! Then Naomi ends this first statement with who will benefit, who the Lord has shown this kindness to: “to the living and to the dead.” The living refers to Naomi and Ruth and the dead to Naomi’s husband and son, Ruth’s husband.

Naomi’s second statement: “The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.” Her  second statement ends with hope and expectation. Her first words are for God and her final words are for Ruth and herself. She explains Boaz’s relationship to them and with this relationship his responsibility. She says Boaz is “near kin to us” he is “near” – “in place” – he is nearby, which means “approach,” he is approachable. She says Boaz is “one of our next kinsmen,” there is another who is not named but who will be seen later. Both have this responsibility but only one will fulfill it.  The word for “kinsmen” is from the Hebrew root “to redeem,” it means this man is “one who redeems.” This name holds all the responsibility and his right to exercise that responsibility. In Ruth 2:1 it says Naomi had “a kinsman,” and the word here means “acquaintance.” Boaz was there but she didn’t know about him yet, he is seen as a distant relative. Naomi’s words to Ruth and Orpah in the first chapter show she was unaware of Boaz. Naomi only saw what she couldn’t do, not what someone else could do (Ruth 1:11-13). In Ruth 2:20 Naomi says “next kinsman,” the word here means much more. The Hebrew word is “Goel,” meaning “one who redeems.” This speaks of the right and responsibility of the one who is next kinsman. This speaks of the ways he could exercise that right. It is after Boaz meets Ruth that Naomi realizes the potential of his relationship. She knows what it is that Boaz can do because of this relationship and she sees in Boaz’s kindness that he knows about this relationship.

What was the responsibility of the “next kinsman” under the Law? There were four important rights he could exercise, provisions made for those in need.
 First: He could redeem an inheritance: Property (Lev 25:25). If he was not able, the property would be returned in the year Jubilee (Lev 25:10,28). Jeremiah was asked to do this, to exercise the “right of redemption” for his uncle (Jer 32:7-9), and Jeremiah did this.
Second: He could redeem an individual: People (Lev 25:47-49). This was someone who had to sell himself because of his poverty and was in bondage to another.
Third: He could marry the widow of a relative so the deceased would have an heir (Deut 25:5).
Fourth: He could be an “Averger of the blood.” He would pursue and slay those who committed murder on behalf of the family. There was a provision made for those who had killed unintentionally, they could flee to a city of refuge (Nu 35:12; Deut 19:5-6).

Naomi had property to redeem and her dead son (Ruth’s husband), needed an heir to inherit. Naomi realized the full potential of what Boaz was able to do for them. Warren Wiersbe makes a wonderful statement concerning what he does as he exercises this right of the next kinsman, which is the right of redemption: “It was not just the kindness and love of Boaz for Ruth that gave Naomi confidence, for those wonderful feelings could change overnight. It was the principle of redemption God had written in His Word that gave Naomi the assurance that Boaz would rescue them.

To summarize, the requirements that this man must meet, and only Boaz will be able to meet all these requirements were as follows: 1) He must be willing to redeem persons or property. 2) He must be a kinsman. 3) He must be able to redeem. 4) He must be willing to pay the full price justice demands. In type, only Jesus meets these requirements for us. As we see in Naomi’s statement, there is another, but Naomi tells Ruth to choose Boaz, though Boaz says there is one who is nearer. Boaz knows he will not be able to or willing to redeem.

Jesus is our kinsman: He is the “one who redeems.” Jesus was a kinsman for Israel: He was a Jew. Jesus was a kinsman for Mankind: He was a Man. He is called the Son of Man (Mt 8:20) and the Son of God (Mt 8:29) in the Gospels. The Son of Man is used at least 84 times in the Gospels and the Son of God is used at least 28 times. There is an emphasis on both. He was conceived by God and born of a woman (Lk 1:35). He was flesh and blood, like us, He shared our humanity (Phil 2:7; Heb 2:14). This gave Him the right to redeem us!

Jesus was able to redeem: He had the ability and was willing to redeem. His ability was his sinlessness and His willingness seen in His love and obedience. He asked His disciple: “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” (Mt 9:28). He said “the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11) – He was Able. He said: “I lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn 10:15) – He was Able! Paul said He is “able to save them to the uttermost” (Heb 7:25). He was Able!

Jesus was able to pay the full price of redemption: Jesus met God’s demands for justice and paid the penalty in full. God “laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6) and God “made him to be sin for us” (2 Cor 5:21). What a terrible price He paid, one that we could not and no one else could pay. And yet the full price is paid and God’s justice was satisfied because Jesus rose from the dead! He “was raised again for (because of) our justification” (Ro 4:25).

Jesus redeemed both persons and property: He redeemed mankind; all those descended from Adam, and He redeemed all that Adam lost. Adam lost his place in the garden and was driven out, and he lost his dominion over the earth. Until Jesus came, Satan had that dominion; he is called the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) and by right could offer to Jesus “the kingdoms of the world” (Mt 3:8). But after Jesus came and redeemed mankind, Satan lost that place. Adam lost his fellowship and his life, a spiritual and physical death. Jesus bought that back for us, we now have life and have it more abundantly and we have fellowship with God. We have a place and “sit together in heavenly places” (Eph 2:6). We have an inheritance (Acts 2:32). We have so “much more” (Romans 5) and the culmination of that much more is seen in that like Boaz, Jesus will have a Bride! How glorious are the result of what our Kinsman Redeemer has purchased for us, how wonderful that He was willing and able to exercise the Rights of Redemption for those in such need – how wonderful when we see this!

To be continued

THE DISPENSATIONS

Earlene Davis

Seventh Dispensation: The Kingdom Age

The Kingdom Age is also called The Millennium, which means “a period of 1000 years.” It will be Christ’s time to reign. He will take His throne in heaven (Rev. 4:2-3) to reign as God Almighty, while the Father will take a dispensational sabbath (rest). It will be the Lord’s Day, Christ’s day to reign (II Pet. 3:8). Gentile Times will have ended, they have had their day, but the nations will continue to rule in usurpation as we read in Psalm 2. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed (Christ), saying Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (vs. 1-3).

Psalm 2:4, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron: thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

I Cor. 15:25 says, “For He (Christ) must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.” A period of about seven years called tribulation days will come to pass on this earth, for Christ must judge the nations. In Rev. 3:10 it is referred to as “the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world…” God will allow Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet to deceive the world. The three make up a trinity of evil (Rev. 13).

The nations will come against Israel to destroy them. God will use them as a instrument of judgment to purge Israel and bring a remnant of that nation unto Himself. Their trouble will cause them to cry out to their God and Christ will reveal Himself unto them from heaven. They shall finally accept their Messiah and mourn for Him whom they had pierced. Then the Lord shall turn on the nations to destroy them for coming against His people (Zech. 12:8-10). The Lord shall roar out of heaven in judgment with the armies (saints) of heaven following Him (Rev. 19:11-21). Read also Jude 14-15.

Christ Himself is the steward of this Age. Then shall the Lord be king over all the earth (Zech. 14:9). The whole world shall be blessed and there shall be peace for the Prince of peace will be reigning (Rev. 20:6). His kingdom has come as it was in heaven (Mt. 6:10). “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…” Isa. 9:7. War will cease, Hos. 2:18. There are so many scriptures that tell of the blessedness of the Kingdom Age that we will only mention a few. Isa. 11:6-9, “The wolf…shall dwell with the lamb…the leopard shall lie down with the kid…the calf and the young lion… a little child shall lead them…the lion shall eat straw like the ox…the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp…They shall not hurt nor destroy…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord…”. The Lord will give rain and the earth will bring forth superabundantly (Joel 2:23-24; Amos 9:14 -15). Israel shall be the head nation and no longer the tail (Isa. 49:23; 60:16; Zech. 14:16; Mal. 3:12).

It truly will be wonderful, even though sin will still be present (Isa. 65:20). Satan will not be around to stir it up. For Christ will bind Him for 1000 year in the bottomless pit after the tribulation period (Rev. 20:1-3). Man’s responsibility will be allegiance to Christ; his failure will be those who fain a devotion to Him. When the 1000 years are up Satan will be loosed out of his prison. God uses him to stir up the unbelieving nations and gather them together for God’s swift judgment (Rev. 20:7-9). Then Satan will be judged by being cast into the lake of fire (V. 10), where the Antichrist and the false prophet are. The last judgment is the Great White Throne judgment of the wicked dead (Rev. 20:11-15).

I Cor. 15:26-28, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith, all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” The seventh dispensation ends and there will be time no longer (Rev. 10:6). In the eternal state there will be a new heaven and a new earth. There will be nothing that defileth, neither worketh abomination, there will be no more curse (Rev. 21:1,5; 22:1-5).

“…It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be no son” Rev. 21:6-7.
AMEN